CVE-2011-2301 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Oracle Text component in Oracle Database Server 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.3, 10.2.0.4, and 11.1.0.7 allows remote authenticated users to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability, related to CTXSYS.DRVDISP.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2301 resides within the Oracle Text component of Oracle Database Server, specifically affecting versions 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.3, 10.2.0.4, and 11.1.0.7. This issue manifests through the CTXSYS.DRVDISP package, which serves as a driver dispatch mechanism for Oracle Text functionality. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability indicates that the exact technical flaw remains undisclosed, though its classification suggests a critical security weakness that can be exploited by authenticated remote attackers. The Oracle Text component is designed to provide full-text search capabilities within the database, making it a critical element for information retrieval and content management systems that rely on database text processing.
The technical flaw within CTXSYS.DRVDISP represents a significant security gap that allows authenticated users to potentially compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected database systems. This three-pronged impact aligns with the core principles of the CIA triad, where confidentiality breaches could expose sensitive data, integrity violations might allow unauthorized modification of database content, and availability compromises could disrupt database operations through denial-of-service conditions. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the database server, as they can leverage network connectivity to exploit the flaw from external locations, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible database systems.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents severe risks to organizations relying on Oracle Database Server implementations, particularly those with multiple authenticated users or systems exposed to untrusted networks. The authenticated nature of the exploit suggests that attackers must first establish valid credentials, but this requirement does not mitigate the overall threat level, as compromised accounts or insider threats could easily leverage this vulnerability. The impact extends beyond simple data compromise, as attackers could potentially disrupt database services, corrupt data structures, or extract sensitive information through sophisticated exploitation techniques. Organizations with databases containing personally identifiable information, financial records, or proprietary business data face heightened risk levels when running affected versions.
The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1499 for endpoint disruption, while also mapping to CWE categories related to insecure interactions between components and insufficient input validation. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, implementation of network segmentation to limit access to database servers, and enhanced monitoring for unusual authentication patterns or database access activities. Security teams must also consider implementing additional controls such as database firewalls, privilege management, and regular security assessments to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure compatibility with existing database applications and workflows.